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I agree, the comment by doggiedad was harsh.
Mental work like teaching tricks seems to wear some of them out more than physical work. It may be worth getting a book on that and teaching, maybe even things that can be useful like help with the laundry. Get a goal in mind and work towards it.

I have made peace with having no grass and a torn up yard (and dealing with a dirty dog) but honestly, it does not wear mine out. I can throw balls multiple times a day and it does nothing to take off any edge. Obedience has been the main thing that seems to help us the most. That may be fun as well.

02-17-2014 06:33 AM

sourdough44

I like to get a lot of 'free roam' in, that means off the leash where it is safe to do so. One must find a spot where it is acceptable, a sandy beach, open field or woods is about perfect. You may need to tote some water if it's not available.

This would be a time for fun, exercise with training mixed in. I take a whistle with a few treats in my pocket. One of my favorite activities is influencing the dog without commands or calling. That is done just with body language. It may be crouching down, hiding behind a bush, or simply facing a direction away from the dog. Of course you peek at the dog to watch it react.

Just thinking games around the house fall short if excessive time is lacking.

I have been doing this game that Bailliff posted. It took us a couple times to get into the groove and it sure as heck wasn't boring to me or my dog.

I hope I copied the link correctly?

Zebu obedience games - YouTube

02-15-2014 11:57 AM

Nigel

4 walks is a lot, depending on time/distance. We've had to deal with a lot of icy conditions this year making fetch or flirt pole too dangerous, so that left of us with "boring" walks. I'd always added in some OB/training, but even that gets boring, so I started bringing the tug or ball on a string along to engage them a couple times during the walk to break it up a little. They love it and will look up to me regularly to see if I'm pulling it out, combined with a some OB, they seem content when we get home.

She also sounds like she may just need to learn how to "settle" in the house, if your giving enough exercise/training, then she's needs to learn to deal with down time.

02-15-2014 11:56 AM

KathrynApril

Dinozzo didn't have interest in his kong either at first. I started out though filling it with his kibble and string cheese sticking out of the end. I then smeared peanut butter around just the top hole to seal it off. I would then freeze it. I left it with him for breakfast. Eventually he got hungry enough to get his meal out of it.
I actually now fill his empty marrow bones with his kibble mixed with a little yogurt/applesauce/water mixture. I seal the ends off with canned food. Wrap it in tin foil & freeze.
I have seen such a difference in Dinozzo by making him work for his meals.
I plan on getting a small bucket and mixing filled bones with nonfilled ones so that he has to search them out.
Side note: I'm so lucky to have a dad that's a meat cutter/journeyman. LOL

Hi,
I'm having problems with putting in the energy to do this as I've been with her over a year with only a two day break ever.

She is bored around the house - I have tried hiding treats around the house for her to find but that will only last 15 to 20mins and then she looks bored again. I have tried bringing her for four daily walks..

I can't throw the ball because we have had torrential rain and it would ruin the grass to step into it.

I want something that will be satisfying for me so I will get more motivated. She doesn't seem to like Kongs at all.

I sympathize with you, don't take some of the critical comments too seriously. We have had the coldest winter in decades, with more snow than I've seen in a very long time. The weather has been at 0 degrees (F) or below much of the winter, with horrendous wind chills, and the dogs can't stay out very long in it, neither can I!

The Leerberg website is a good source (as someone mentioned), check it out. Also, if she doesn't like the Kong, try spreading cold peanut butter inside it (some people then freeze it). I try not to put too much in it, not sure that would be good for them, but I do use a table knife to spread it way inside so they have to really work to get it. You can also pack it with canned dog food with crunchy treats mixed in, then freeze it. That may help to keep her busy for a bit. My two like Nylabones, the hard ones that last quite a while. I also bounce a tennis ball down the basement steps, they like to run down to get it and bring it back up to me... And the suggestion someone made of getting another dog is a good one, also, if your situation allows it.

02-15-2014 10:26 AM

Stosh

There are dvds and free videos on leerburg.com about relationship games that not only teach but build the bond and relationship between you and your dog. They really wear out my dog

02-15-2014 09:48 AM

HOBY

Have you tried using a Bully stick? It helps with a food and toy drive, like a magic wound. As a limited time reward for good performance and as a lure when the dog is being difficult. I have used this and a tug indoors.

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